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With the explosion of the first atomic bomb in New Mexico and thus the demonstration that the chain reaction is practical as a weapon of war, physicians and biologic scientists generally became an integral part of the development. To the many well known causes of medical casualties encountered in war and peace, such as blast injuries, penetrating wounds and thermal injuries, was added another—that of radiation injury. Both the preclinical and clinical scientists are rapidly becoming acquainted with the biologic effects of radiations because (1) new types of penetrating radiations for therapy of cancer are being developed, radioisotopes are being more generally used for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes; both are being used as tools of fundamental research; and (2) the potential danger of actual atomic warfare makes knowledge of the biologic effects of radiations and methods of treatment an essential part of a physician's training. As a result, courses are